Maharashtra Politics: Uddhav-Raj Thackeray To Reunion Soon Amid Marathi Language Row?

Uddhav and Raj Thackeray signal willingness to unite, prioritizing Maharashtra’s interests and Marathi language over past political differences.

Image: IANS

Amid the ongoing development in Maharastra over the Marathi language, estranged cousins Uddhav Thackeray and Raj Thackeray on Saturday signalled a willingness to set aside their past differences and unite together to develop Maharashtra’s interests.

Uddhav Thackeray, chief of Shiv Sena (UBT), and Raj Thackeray, founder of the Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS), voiced strong opposition to the MahaYuti government’s decision to make Hindi a compulsory subject from Classes 1 to 5 in Marathi and English-medium schools.

In an interview with actor-director Mahesh Manjrekar, Raj Thackeray said, “The disputes and fights between Uddhav and me are minor -- Maharashtra is much bigger than all that. These differences are proving costly for the existence of Maharashtra and the Marathi people.”

He added, “Coming together is not difficult, it’s a matter of will. It’s not just about my desire or selfishness. We need to look at the bigger picture. All Marathi people across political parties should unite and form a single party.”

Raj Thackeray also clarified that his earlier political choices were different from the rebellion led by Chief Minister Eknath Shinde.   "I left Shiv Sena when MLAs and MPs were with me. Even then, I chose to walk alone because I couldn't work under anyone except Balasaheb Thackeray. I had no objection to working with Uddhav. The question is -- does the other side have the will to work with me?”

“If Maharashtra wants us to come together, let Maharashtra speak up. I don’t let my ego get in the way of such matters,” he further added.

Expressing similar sentiments at the Bhartiya Kamgar Sena function, Uddhav Thackeray said, “I’m ready to put aside petty disputes. I appeal to all Marathi people to unite in the interest of Maharashtra. But there is a condition -- when we pointed out in Parliament that industries were being shifted to Gujarat, if we had united then, we could have formed a government that worked for Maharashtra. We cannot keep switching sides -- supporting them one day, opposing them the next, and then compromising again.”

“Anyone who acts against Maharashtra’s interests -- I will not welcome them, invite them home, or sit with them. Let this be clear first, and then let us work together for Maharashtra,” he added.

(With IANS inputs)